Prime Minister, Mr. Narendra Modi, has arrived at Bhubaneshwar, for the two-day Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) national executive meeting, that is scheduled to start this evening.

All the 13 BJP chief ministers, including Uttar Pradesh’s Yogi Adityanath, their deputies and 45 Union ministers are also attending the meet. Senior party leader MM Joshi, Home Minister Rajnath Singh, Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, Union Minister Venkaiah Naidu and other party leaders are also expected to be present at the meeting. The leaders will discuss the BJP’s strategy to increase the party's political footprint ahead of the 2019 general elections, while eyeing the 2019 Odisha state elections.

The meeting will be held at Janata Maidan. While Amit Shah landed in Bhubaneswar yesterday, PM Narendra Mod arrived at around 3:30 PM today and is holding a road show to the venue.

Here are the updates:

- Apr 15, 2017, 10:31 (IST)
The stage is set. Sand artist Sudarshan Patnaik's 40-feet-long artwork at the venue Janta Maidan in Bhubaneswar.

- Apr 15, 2017, 10:55 (IST)
BJP National General Secretary, Ram Madhav reported a news agency, “We are going to discuss about the strategy for 2019 general and state elections. It is an important meet.” “We have performed very well in Odisha and our karyakartas requested us, that is why we are conducting the meet here,” said Madhav.

- Apr 15, 2017, 11:26 (IST)
BJP National Executive begins in Bhubaneswar. PM Modi expected to reach the venue by 5:00 PM.

- Apr 15, 2017, 12:14 (IST)
BJP office-bearers are finalizing the agenda of the executive meeting.

- Apr 15, 2017, 12:49 (IST)
Chhattisgarh CM Raman Singh said, “I am witnessing so much vigor in BJP's workers of Odisha. This meeting can be proven as a milestone in the upcoming election of Odisha.”

- Apr 15, 2017, 13:44 (IST)
BJP is planning receptions for PM Modi at several places on his way from Bhubaneswar airport to the Raj Bhawan, where he will stay tonight.

- Apr 15, 2017, 14:58 (IST)
Union Minister Mahesh Sharma said, “After last five victories we will try to prepare for next elections. We will keep people's trust in us.”

- Apr 15, 2017, 15:53 (IST)
PM Modi arrives in Bhubaneswar for the National Executive.

- Apr 15, 2017, 16:04 (IST)
Crowds greet PM Modi at his roadshow in Bhubaneswar.

- Apr 15, 2017, 16:14 (IST)
PM Modi gets off his Range Rover SUV, walks up to the crowd and greets his supporters.

- Apr 15, 2017, 16:20 (IST)
PM Modi is headed to Janata Maidan, the venue of the National Executive.

- Apr 15, 2017, 16:46 (IST)
BJP chief Amit Shah starts addresses the national party meet in Bhubaneswar.

- Apr 15, 2017, 16:56 (IST)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweets:

Landed in Odisha to a memorable welcome. Gratitude to the people for the warmth and enthusiasm. pic.twitter.com/wloTpKDCAN

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 15, 2017

- Apr 15, 2017, 17:16 (IST)
State BJP leader Dharmendra Pradhan says to a news channel earlier, “BJP, after the 2014 elections, has found support base across the country, but not in Odisha. We have to strengthen the party in this state. In democracy, regional parties have their own strengths and they are with us. People of Odisha has reposed their credibility and confidence on PM Modi.

- Apr 15, 2017, 17:29 (IST)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi reaches the venue of BJP National Executive Meet.

- Apr 15, 2017, 17:39:15 (IST)
PM Modi lights the lamp at the meet venue as top BJP leaders LK Advani, Amit Shah and Arun Jaitley look on. Vande Mataram is played to mark the start of the national executive meet.

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